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Holidays are not always fun

Christmas holidays should be filled with love, family, gifts and good food. But what if you don’t have any of those? Or what if you have no money at all and no prospects for next year? Then holidays may be no fun at all. If you have no family, you may dread being alone when others are with their families. Or you may resent having to go home and spend time with family you don’t feel close to.

It’s okay not to be happy. If you can't be with loved ones or something bad has happened to you recently, it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.

Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They may give you support and companionship. Attend church meetings or community functions. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.

Don’t overspend. There is no point in getting into debt to please others. If you have no money just make it a fun time at home. Make homemade gifts, offer friends babysitting, read to the kids as a gift or offer a haircut. Don’t spend money you don’t have to.

Don't drown your sorrows. If you feel low, stay far away from alcohol or drugs. Stick to good healthy habits, get exercise and focus on starting afresh in the New Year.

Get help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or call one of the help numbers.